Questions about moving to Ubuntu

[Rik van Achterberg]

Hi Anthony,

Anthony Christiansen schreef:

> I'd like to move from Windoze XP to Ubuntu and I have some questions:
>
> 1) My laptop has two hard drives, each 40GB.  The second one isn't 
> being used at all right now.  Can I load Ubuntu on that drive and use 
> both operating systems until I get used to Ubuntu and eventually drop 
> Windoze?
>
Yes, that is possible. You will have to install the booloader in the MBR 
(Master Boot Record) of your primary disk.

> 2) I have some devices that came with windows-specific software, 
> namely a Nikon digital camera, a Creative Labs Zen Extra MP3 player 
> and, finally, a Dell Axim handheld.  How will I operate these devices 
> with Ubuntu?  What about printers?
>
Your Nikon digital camera and Creative MP3-player have a very big chance 
of working in Ubuntu, but I'm not sure about the handheld. Maybe someone 
else can inform you about that.

> 3) Does Ubuntu come packaged with a music player and recorder?

If you've installed Ubuntu, go to this page: 
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation
It explains how to enable universe and multiverse, so you can install 
encoders and players/recorders.
(amaroK is a very good mp3 player ;))

>
>
> 4) Finally, there are a couple of windows-based apps that I used 
> infrequently and probably could learn to do without, but is there any 
> way to run these under Ubuntu.  I'm specifically think of a Systran 
> Translation program that I use a lot (I'm an American living in Europe 
> and frequently need to translate documents in languages I don't know 
> all that well.)

Some applications can be emulated with Wine. Other well 
known-applications can be emulated with CrossOver Office (like MS 
Office, Photoshop). I don't know about your program's, you'll have to 
try or use Google.

>
> Anyone who'd be up to answering these questions can write back either 
> on the list or to me privately.
>
> Thanks!  Anthony
>
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>
Regards,

Rik